Reviews (11)

Great Message Pattern Language
This a book about enterprise integration solutions, authors claim that they are technology neutral, it is true. In the examples and implementations, they chose 3 most popular messaging frameworks to illustrate the patterns. However, they are pretty biased toward messaging as the "better" solution to enterprise integration strategy. It may have a lot of edges over the other approaches, sometimes it is just easy to use a simple wrapper/facade to do the integration. But I guess authors really intend to push their messaging solutions as the subtitle indicates.

Having said that, this is an excellent book of message pattern language, which I believe is the first one introducing the interesting topic. The books touches from the architectural patterns, e.g., messaging bus, pipe and filters, to common design patterns, e.g., publish/subscribe, request/reply, to some patterns that most MOMs provide as integrated solutions, e.g., durable subscriber, message filter, message expiration etc. With all these patterns at hand, a system architect would be able to craft a messaging pattern-oriented enterprise integration architecture by applying the appropriate patterns compositely.

The book would be better if authors describe some patterns implementation in more detail. E.g., it would be interesting to see how the message expiration is implemented, does the message contain a timer or the message channel monitor each individual message from start up? How does the channel interact with the message and check the expiry? Guaranteed delivery is another example. I know most of these implementation details only interest MOM developers, whereas pattern users are only interested in how and when to apply the patterns, but now that the book is about patterns themselves, implementation details would be appreciated.

Since all the patterns introduced in the book form a messaging pattern language, knowing each pattern's strength and limitation under the context, scope and different forces, and how it interacts with other patterns to form a bigger(composite) pattern are essential to grasp the pattern language. A collaboration diagram to show each pattern's transition/migration/composition to each other would be helpful.

Good Stuff
Enterprise Integration Patterns is part of Addison-Wesley's new Martin Fowler Signature Series, which Fowler's Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture (PoEAA) is also a part of. I was very satisfied with PoEAA and the same can be said about Enterprise Integration Patterns. It has the potential to become a classic.

The authors' writing style is a pleasure to read -- no ambiguous statements, no unnecessary babbling. The book is structured to suit both cover-to-cover reading and a "dive-in" approach for situations where you're looking for a solution to a particular problem. After an introduction to the field of enterprise integration, and a discussion of why the book concentrates on the messaging integration style in particular, the reader is given a hierarchical catalog of patterns revolving around a small set of "core" patterns. The book's coverage is in my opinion very well scoped.

I must also praise the look of the book; besides the layout being familiar from prior works and the proven pattern catalog structuring, the authors have used graphics very efficiently. Not only the authors define a vocabulary for integration patterns, but they have also come up with an expressive visual language for illustrating the patterns using simple notations that can be easily drawn without CASE tools.

I found only two downsides for this book. First, the title can be slightly misleading as the book focuses on messaging as an integration style and only briefly mentions alternatives such as RPC, file transfer, and shared databases. However, I don't know a single person who doesn't read the back cover before buying a book, so I wouldn't count this as a big issue. Furthermore, the reason for focusing on messaging is thoroughly argued in the book. The second downside is the code examples, which are presented using varying languages and products and seem somehow disconnected from the text.

In summary, Enterprise Integration Patterns is a great book. It's worth reading and re-reading if you're working with systems integration projects or writing integration software yourself. Yet another book that makes me think, "I wish I had it back then..."

Architects guide
Overall I am quite impressed with the quality of this book. The authors took a great look at the patterns involved in messaging architectures as traditionally practiced in EAI applications. If you are an experienced architect, you will find the patterns applied to many enterprise applications. If you don't have a few large-scale type projects under your belt, you won't think many of the suggestions are useful, applicable, or even necessary. If you do, though, reading this book will be well worth your time.

The best technical book of 2004
I had been waiting for this book for several years. There are many good books on software architecture using synchronous communication, but nothing on asynchronous communication --- the typical scheme when connecting existing applications. This is surprising since the underlying products (MQ, MSMQ, WebMethods, Vitria, etc.) have been around for a while, some for more than 10 years, and the techniques have become increasingly well understood by the practitioners. There are even some books on the individual products --- several on MQ for example --- but nothing more general about how to use messaging, message routing, and message transformation to build a larger system.

This is the book I had been waiting for. Furthermore the authors have avoided the usual three pitfalls of technical books: it is well organized, it well written, and it is deep treatment, not at all superficial.

The book is organized into 65 patterns (in the manner of the classic _Design Patterns_). Each pattern shows one typical problem in integrating applications, and how it is solved. Each pattern gives enough implementation details so it is clear how it would work, and an example or two so it is clear how it works in practice. For example the Message Expiration pattern addresses the problem of "How can a sender of a message indicate when a message should be considered stale and thus shouldn't be processed?"

The writing in this book is clear. For example "A Message Expiration is like the expiration date on a milk carton. After that date, you shouldn't drink the milk." The authors have also invented icons for each of their patterns. Their icon language allows a integration architecture to be visuallized in a way that UML does not provide.

Amongst the 11 pattern-describing chapters are 3 "interludes", chapter-length examples that explain a problem, show how patterns can combined to solve it, and then provide implementations in different technologies (JMS, .Net, TIBCO, MSMQ, etc.).

My only beef with this book is that it is long and dense: almost 700 pages. I bought it in late December 2003 and I am only finishing it now. But it is hard to say what should have been cut. Certainly none of the patterns are unnecessary, and the decription of each feels like about the right length. The interludes are also useful for seeing how the patterns fit together. So maybe this book just needs to be 700 pages.

A Wonderful, Wonderful Book
Gregor has a gift for explaining design patterns. We were trying to explain the problems with passing a large file up and down a messaging bus to our bioinformatics users, when I ran across Enterprise Integration Patterns. As soon as I showed the Claim Check pattern to our designers, they got it instantly. Five of my colleagues purchased the book, and we asked Gregor to come teach a class on it. This is the best written book on design patterns I've seen. I reallly like the list of patterns inside the book cover -- nice terse explanation, and great mnemonic icons. ... Read more

Book Description

Make your video project sound as good as it looks with this complete audio training course. You get hundreds of professional, real-world techniques that you can employ from pre-production through the final mix. This is a solution-oriented guide with FAQs, how-tos, tips, and time savers. The audio CD features platform-independent diagnostics, demonstrations, and tutorial tracks that you can use to hone your skills.

You get a primer on how sound and digital audio work as well as technical setups, guidelines, and real solutions for: · budgeting, scheduling, and pre-production planning · microphones and room acoustics · recording dialog, voice-overs, ADR, and effects · postproduction hardware · levels and digitizing · working with music and sound effects · producing the final mix

New in this edition-an expanded section on audio at the shoot, including: · choosing the right microphone · boom, lav, and wireless techniques · getting the best sound from prosumer cameras · double-system recording ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A must-have book for audio production.
Jay Rose has put together an excellent resource for anyone working with audio, espcecially for those who are working with video or editing. Great audio is extremely important for the success of any production and can do more to set your work apart from the crowd, more so than video technique or any special effects. With that being said, audio is a tricky science unto itself (a technical and touchy science it seems to me, at least). This book will help, it is a terrific reference for those who are accomplished with audio production as well as an invaluable tool for those who may be skilled in other areas of video production, but may be new to audio production. This book explains all the terms and jargon, expains sound theory and digital audio theory, answers questions about common problems (the ones all of us have encountered on shoots), how to avoid them on future shoots and provides specific technical assistance with cleaning up bad audio, fixing problems, selecting and setting up mics, planning, getting good sound from the start, editing and sweetening audio on the computer, mixing, effects, etc... Lots of tips, techniques, finishing touches and other good stuff. You will gain a better understanding of all aspects of audio. This is a complete course! Better than the college course I took 20 years ago. You will learn a lot here and it will show in your work. This is a great book from an experienced working professional. You won't be disappointed.

Jay Rose delivers
I am convinced that audio is the biggest diference between professional productions and home video. People will "watch" anything, but if the audio is bad the whole project is bad. Jay Rose makes it clear how to get the best sound tracks you can get on video and how to make them better in post production. This book covers everything needed, and the CD is actually filled with useful sound clips. In just a few days I learned what I was doing wrong and how my projects could be much better. I found the book very well written as well. If you produce digital vidio, this book is a must.

a gem
Jay Rose is an excellent audio engineer and in this book shares knowledge that can only come from years of professional experience. He delivers information on a very difficult topic in an easily accessible manner.

This book is a great resource. As an engineer with years of experience, I can honestly recommend this book to beginners and pros as well. There's a wealth of practical information. I reviewed this book for creative cow (production website) and gave it five stars.

Best book in the biz
If you are interested in using audio for anything from location sound to post, this book is a must read. Even if think you know enough already, Jay will teach some fun tricks, time savers, and just plain great techniques for gathering and editing sound.

Sound gathering is far from simple but Jay lays it all out for you in an easy to refer to manual.

Not for MiniDV Camcorders
A disappointment. It is well written, very introductory, and not at all geared to those of us trying to get the best digital sound out of our MiniDV camcorders, which is what I was hoping for. My problems include mic questions, in-line mixers, return loops for headphone monitoring, in brief: how to bypass the internal preamps in the camera to get the best sound out of a MiniDV camcorder. I need practical examples. This is not in this book. I am not sending it back, but it goes on the shelf with the other not-enough-hands-on-examples books. ... Read more

Product Description

This book covers all aspects of designing and using systems for public address and musical performance. The book features information on both the audio theory involved and the practical applications of that theory, explaining everything from microphones to loudspeakers. Written by Gary Davis and Ralph Jones. 2nd edition. 416 pages. Copyright: 1996. Net weight: 2-1/4 lbs. Price WAS $34.95! ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A SR Student Must-Have
This book is a must have for all students in the sound reinforcement industry. As a high school theatre sound tech, this book has saved me from disaster hundreds of times and allowed my performances to sound great. The discussed topics are clear, complete, and through. The information is very useful to a beginner or a seasoned pro. I see this book as the "bible" of the sound reinforcement industry. A must have!

Best reference book for sound engineering
I used to work on small set of equipment for a local church (1500 people). I currently record at home.
I'm just an amature.
Anyway this book seems to be the best reference out there for beginners.
It has lot of details and some theory that will help you understand how a sound system works.
This book is a must for any one serious about doing there job. Amateur or Pro wanna be.

Complete reference book for live band equipment
I've needed this book for a long time and wish I had it long ago. It has the answers I need explained clearly and in detail. One example is its comprehensive explanation of audio equipment system grounding techniques. The information in this book is needed to put together a system of band equipment for best results.

good for beginner
this book is very good for beginners and people who do live sound, but it is not detail enough for people who do recording

Must Have
Great book for anyboy interested in the field. Must Have! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Only book which consolidates Audio coding & Standards
This book describes the basic details and the Signal Processing behind the Audio compression. It also describes PQMF and MDCT in continuation which is rare in books. Almost all the standard audio codecs are described with comparisons. I am delighted to read the book. At least my search end with this book on this topic. After getting this book, I need not look into IEEE & AES papers. For Audio engineers working on this domain should read this book to have a complete picture and overview of the technology and the domain.

Not satisfying for a nerd like myself...
The book gives a good review of the historical development of audio coding standards with emphasis on ISO. Generally speaking it is well written, but the technical details as well as theoretical aspects are frankly, quite superficial; therefore it is not satisfying for a (proud) nerd like myself. If one's goal is to implement a program to handle the MP3 bitstream, for instance, then the book does not help. If one's goal is to design a new filter bank to improve the MP3 coder, then the book does not help either. However, it is recommended for beginners to get a flavor of the audio coding field.

Touching the core mechanisms underlying digital audio codec.
For a long time in my school life and now as a audio engineer I look forward to this kind of book.
MPEG Audio or AC3 audio standard is rather simple, but the syntax and decoding procedures imply considerably complex algorithms have been included there.
This book explains related theorys - for example filterbanks in detail, psychoacoustics, entropy coding, etc - concretely and expertly. She(Bosi) was one of the leading members in making MPEG Audio Standards.
Strongly recommendable!

First comprehensible book on the topic
This is a 'reference' book for anyone interested in how modern perceptual audio coders work. It is very well written, and complete. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It isn't easy finding a job these days and for those working in the creative fields like graphic design, illustration, photography, filmmaking, and music, a digital portfolio is just the shiny object you need to catch the attention of a prospective employer. But you can't just slap a few files on a CD and call it a night. As Cynthia Baron points out in Designing a Digital Portfolio--a thorough guide to digital portfolios--your first impression is critical and good preparation will pay off.

The books begins with soul-searching: what work are you hoping to get, who's your audience, what style of presentation should you choose, and what technology--Zip, CD, DVD? Effective portfolios from various fields are analyzed, for example, one for an industrial designer or a flash animation artist. If you happen to do both or are otherwise a jack-of-all-trades, Baron outlines your strategy for targeting your audience and deciding how to focus your presentation.

There're several great chapters on prepping your work, collecting it (do you have your process materials, like pencil sketches?), digitizing the non-digital and cleaning it up (like stitching together scans or effective cropping), nitty-gritty items like optimizing and encoding (crucial if you don't want your future boss frustrated by large files), and dealing with that neglected cousin of the visually creative: good written content.

Next, the book considers delivery (for example, Web versus a portable portfolio on CD or DVD), a presentation metaphor (for example, gallery or diary), and the navigational master plan. The chapter on copyrights and attribution are worth the cover price alone. (For example, do you know who owns the artwork you just created for that latest brochure? Do you know how to present a large project on which you worked as part of a team?)

Throughout the book, Baron profiles some stellar examples of digital portfolios, most of which are viewable online, for example, illustrator Michael Bartalos's Web site at bartalos.com. And the appendices offer even more resources to help and inspire you. --Angelynn Grant ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One of the Best Books on the Topic
This is one of the best books on its topic that I have ever seen. From the title, I expected to find advice on preparing images for the screen, how to put them on a CD or DVD, etc. Those things are there, but the book begins in a logical place that I wouldnÕt have considered. BrownÕs approach is truly holistic.

Check out page 23 for the first page of a three-page self assessment check list. It has you evaluate your professional strengths and weaknesses, goals and personality.

Chapter 3 asks you a bunch of questions to help you identify who your audience really is and focus on them.

The rest of the book covers various digital formats, how to organize your work, how to get images of 3D and oversized work into your portfolio, including choosing a camera and setting up for shooting.

Ms. Brown covers editing your images to remove the most common problems, such as moirŽ, sharpening needs, bad crops, etc. And ... she devotes a section to creating written content to accompany your stunning images, telling you how to write to that audience you defined earlier.

She explains the differences between a monitor screen and a printed page. You need to know that to design the correct interface for your portfolio. She also has a full chapter devoted to marketing and copyright issues.

The entire book is scattered with quotes (in friendly green type) from experts and those who have gone before you. The quotes tell you what agencies are looking for in a portfolio, how others have found success at this, what things you can do to streamline the process, etc.

The definitive resource
For several months I searched for an appropriate textbook for a course that I was developing. Several days prior to the deadline for the course outline, "Designing a Digital Portfolio " was published. After reading the book, I realized this was the authoritative text for anyone in a creative field. The book asks and answers all the essential questions. It is perfect for the technological savvy multimedia programmer or for any artist with limited technology expertise. I urge anyone who is even considering developing a digital portfolio to buy this book. Without qualification, this is the most valuable book on the market

Multimedia Portfolio Instructor/Art Institute/Art Institute Online
Subject Matter Expert / Curriculum Development Multimedia Portfolio ... Read more

Book Description

Prepared by the world's leading acoustics company, BNN Laboratories, it covers every aspect of noise and vibration control. Examines engineering principles for designing quiet conditions into pumps and power plant equipment, air conditioning systems, industrial machinery, factories and more. Methods for designing appropriate noise and vibration control treatments are also discussed. Techniques for assessing conditions are demonstrated as well as methods for designing appropriate noise and vibration control applications. A condensed collection of current authoritative design information, criteria and references are also included. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Practical Use of Noise and Vibration Control Engineering
The book has some very practical suggestions and formulas that can be used to control noise in real engineering problems. This it does by first reviewing the basic terms, definitions and international standards in acoustics. Several practical formulas for design of noise control systems are discussed and given in the text. Formulas for calculation of sound propagation in various practical situations are also given. I recommend this book to people who have an interest in reducing noise in most practical problems.

The book is also suitable to students in mechanical, aerospace, automotive, electrical, environmental, highways and building engineering who have an interest in acoustics or noise control problems. The book is however not suitable as a class textbook as not many formulas are derived neither are there many worked examples or tutorial problems that can assist a student to prepare for examinations. ... Read more

Book Description

This friendly guide covers the essentials a first-time recording engineer needs to know about setting up and operating a home or project recording studio. Home Recording For Musicians For Dummies hits all the major topics including choosing the right device for your project, building a studio space, operating your recording equipment, using MIDI technology, choosing and using the right microphones, getting great sounds on the recording, editing, mixing, adding sound effects, and sharing it with others via CD or the Internet. This up-to-date resource covers the latest technologies that the older books don't explain, including the latest PC-based recording software and standalone recording devices. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Good for beginners
This book is basically recording 101. I think it actually even advertises it as that. Well...It only covers basics and the basic techniques of compression, expansion, etc. It doesn't get much more into anything beyond that or advanced. True, if I hadn't taken Audio Arts I at my college, I would've bought it...But I did and I see I already know 90% of the info in it.

Great Book
This book helped me win the song contest http://www.songoftheyear.com for songwriters

Place Title for this review here
I wish this would have been around when I started recording. This book is very straightforward and well laid out. I've always had the impression that recording shouldn't be that hard, and the chosen few who know weren't going to give those that don't all the details. Just enough to frustrate. Or else, these writers really had an assistant engineer who really did all the engineering and the writer didn't know what he was talking about. During my involvement with home recording, I found out through trial and error some of the most important simple things that were never mentioned in any of the books I started with. Most of these books are still for sale. This book covers everything and for me and it's a good refresher. Very handy to have everything I need to reference in one book. Also, I've picked up a few tidbits I didn't already know. Get this book and read it.

Just buy it
For a long time i have been messing around with recording on a 4-track and my pc but getting bad results, but having no idea why, or what i need to do or buy to get some quality recordings. So i bought this book and it has opened up a whole world of home digital recording to me that i never had any way of accessing before. i now feel like i could confidently walk into a shop and buy the things i need and know exactly what im talking about, and know exactly what im looking for. If you want to get into home recording and dont know where to start, just buy this book, its all you need. I cant comment on whether more experienced musical technicians would find it insteresting as well, but im sure it would make a good reference book for them.
what are you waiting for?

Excellent source of information
This book is great!!!! I have been messing around with home recording for about 2 years, So I say I am still new at this. This book has got me off on the right foot, and helped to set up the studio I have now. It has also shown what kinda of upgrades I can make in the future. I now have everything that I want to get in the future laid out in the order I want/need to get them. I highly recommend this book ... Read more

Book Description

Cable Any Kind of Audio or Video Installation

Put complete performance specifications for analog and digital audio and video installations -- from professional recording studios to living room theatres -- in the palm of your hand! Audio/Video Cable Installer’s Pocket Guide packs over 200 illustrations that clarify all the methods, procedures, and tools you need to successfully tackle even the most complex installation job. Great for everyone from home enthusiasts to professional engineers and technicians, the convenient take-along size is as perfect for professionals working out in the field as it is for hobbyists tinkering in the basement. Author Stephen Lampen, an industry pro, anticipates and answers your every question on analog and digital audio, analog and digital video, including high definition video cabling; connectors; using Category 5, 5e, and 6 to carry audio and video; installation; and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A First Rate Guide
Within its sphere of discussion, this is the best reference manual of its type. There is a lot not here concerning RF and power, but it's not an RF or power book. Steve Lampen is about the most knowledgeable 'wire man' around and this book should go with you each time you visit your local High End audio saloon or any other vendor of these products.

Small package - HUGE resource of information!
It is easy to see why Steve Lampen is such an esteemed author and lecturer and one of the most respected cable engineers in the industry. Steve Lampen does an excellent job of describing cables and their applications. Starting with the basics of the construction of the wire, Steve describes everything from the conductor's base metal to the insulation and shielding to the applications most appropriate for each cable. He defines all of the important wire specifications and gives you a much better sense of which type of cables are most appropriate for you application. While the book is very technical in scope, Steve makes the complex topics interesting and readable. It is filled with helpful charts, graphs and tables - color codes, NEC fire codes, resistance tables, dielectric constants and more.

So much information is packed into this book that I consider it the best 400 pages of knowledge you can carry in your pocket! This is a must-have book for anyone interested in ANY aspect of cable installation or home-theater hookup. ... Read more

Book Description

Mastering Audio explains leading-edge audio concepts in an easy-to-grasp, holistic manner, including an ear-opening investigation of the mysteries of jitter, dither and wordlengths, high sample rates, distortion, headroom, monitor calibration, metering, depth perception, compression and expansion, equipment interconnection and much more.Mastering Audio is for everyone who wants to increase their mastery of digital and analog audio: musicians, producers, A&R, mastering, recording and mixing engineers, and students.

*Outlines the steps taken in producing a compact disc, from creation to final pressing
*Provides insights to equipment, training, and the business of mastering
*Answers questions most frequently asked by audio engineers ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Mastering Audio...
If you buy this book and reread it 4 times, you'll come out better of than buying 5 separate books about mastering. Mastering is a true art and if some book tells you exactly how and where to apply your "enhancements" to improve your sound, avoid it. I've been mastering on the cheap with just a "sound forge" mastering software with a 16bit computer. Working off of old tapes from all the bands I've been in, it's been a pretty steep learning curve mastering these tapes to cd. This book is good as a reference, what you're looking for is easy to find. Dither, wordlengh, editing, compression, reverb and all that other stuff is explained well and provides for deeper understanding when reread. I've got my money's worth and am still learning from it.

REALLY GOOD!!!
This book is really one of the best on the subject. It may be a little complicated if you don't have background in digital music because all the terms involved, but other than that it's a masterpiece. This book for sure will also be a reference manual for me, not because it's formatted like one, but because it has so many valuable pieces of information. The constant references to further chapters kinda drives you crazy and tempts you to jump to those chapters. All the information is so exciting, I read more than 100 pages non stop... If you're into details and want to learn a few well kept secrets this book is what you should have by your side on your next mastering session.

Stay away from it if you are looking for hard-and-fast rules
I bought this book after reading many good reviews. After reading it, I would say that it is indeed a very interesting book, there are a lot of "obscure areas" that the author dares to tackle, with a remarkable "scientific" approach.

BUT, before you buy this book...It's not a "funny" reading, you should get this book if you are already familiar with all the technical subjects covered, the author seems to assume a certain previous knowledge, otherwise you won't go past chapter 1. AND, for all of you cookbook lovers, forget it, you are not bound to find those here.

That being said, I have it, and I like it. I'll probably re read it sometime in the future.

if you want a deeper understanding of audio
and a deeper respect for mastering engineers then READ THIS BOOK. this book walks you through the disecting audio to different types of audio. it takes you from handing over your mix to the mastering engineer to what it's going to sound like once it hits the shelf. it's not really a "how to" book. it's a "why you need a qualified mastering engineer" book. don't think you're going to master like bob by the time you read this book.... honestly to really understand what's going on you're probably going to have to read the book more than once. it's a deep book, giving you deep understanding of "the art and science of mastering audio."

Difficult to understand..
I relied upon the several positive reviews on this book but I was a bit disappointed. Yes, the book does have an incredible amount of information. It does explain very thoroughly all the concepts, acronyms and just about everything else. The only problem here is it's almost too much.

I purchased this book with the intention of learning how to master properly by using a compressor effectively, making my mix punchier, etc. This book talks about all of those things but in such a round-about way that it's far from a step-by-step guide to mastering. This is more of the history of mastering, how it has changed in the studio, and how you need to be extremely technically proficient to really even follow what he's saying half the time. For example, he breaks out into a long discussion comparing mastering on 24-bit versus 16-bit and how you need to account for differences mathematically, how changing the sampling rate from 48khz to 44.1Khz needs to be corrected,e tc. These are all very valid and useful things to know but I was not able to find any step-by-step tutorials. The reason why they don't exist here is because the author does not believe there is any one approach to mastering, and that there is no magical formula. I can understand that too, but I need something to point me in the right direction. For example, if he told me that cutting ##Hz frequencies and boosting ##Khz frequencies typically provide a "punchy" mix, at least I would have a reference point for what he's talking about. There is simply no such thing here. Maybe I'm asking too much but I really would have liked to have a CD-ROM with examples and explanations of the various tweaks he talks about.

Overall, this is a good book, but far from a "Mastering For Dummies" type of book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent material - well presented
Colin Perkins is obviously well regarded in the area of RTP with many papers and research to his credit. This book is a very thorough and readable text on RTP. All aspects of RTP are covered in sufficient depth. The only thing that would have improved it would have been access to code. At various sections in the book he refers to an RTP stack that he has written. If this were made available as part of the book it would have been a killer combination.

If I lost this book, I'd buy another one! ... Read more

Book Description

The classic acoustics reference! This widely-used book offers a clear treatment of the fundamental principles underlying the generation, transmission, and reception of acoustic waves and their application to numerous fields. The authors analyze the various types of vibration of solid bodies and the propagation of sound waves through fluid media. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not an introductory text
This text in not an introductory work, it is geared toward upper division college or graduate level engineering work. By this I am referring to the math level in the book. If you are not willing to work with partial differential equations, integrals, dot products, cross products and dell operators stay away from this book, it is intended for engineering students and not for audio, broadcast, or film students looking for a greater understanding of sound/acoustics.

Here is a list of the chapters:
Fundamentals of vibration; Transverse motion - the vibrating string; Vibrations of bars; The two-dimensional wave equation: vibrations of memberanes and plates; The acoustic wave equation and simple solutions; Transmission phenomena; Absorption and attenuation of sound waves in fluids; Radiation and reception of acoustic waves; Pipes, cavities, and waveguides; resonators, ducts, and filters; Noise, signal, detection, hearing, and speech; Environmental acoustics; Architectural acoustics; Transduction; Underwater acoustics.

OK, but better texts available
Personally, I was disappointed by the fourth edition of this venerable text, for it has become increasingly mathematical and problem oriented. If you like sitting down and whiling away your afternoon with a problem set -- this is the text for you. But if instead you wish to study acoustics through a pedagogical method that is more verbal and graphical in nature -- better texts are available.

Indeed, in my opinion, prior editions (1950, 1962, 1981) of this same text are superior, particularly the second edition. Although these too have their share of integral calculus and complex algebra, the quantity is more appropriate for a discipline that is mostly science and engineering but with aspects of art to it as well.

Bear in mind that aside from a few specialized areas -- like ultrasonics and its use in medical imaging and non-destructive testing, or the use of digital processing in sound generation and vibration analysis -- little new has come about in the field of acoustics since World War II. Thus unlike with most fields of science, there is no necessity to have the most modern texts to gather a wholly modern understanding of the field (with a few minor exceptions).

Indeed, I recently examined almost every text relating to acoustics contained in the circumferential stacks of the Barker Engineering Library under the Great Dome of M.I.T. (and sadly, there aren't as many texts as one might hope). I was surprised both at the age of most volumes in the collection -- and the fact that most had not been checked out of the library in years.

Indeed, from the "Date Due" slips in the back, you could see the field was very popular in the 1960's and 1970's, but popularity seemed to wane in the early 1980's -- approximately contemporaneously, curiously, with the introduction of the digital CD format of audio recording.

By the mid-1990's, at M.I.T., at least, interest in acoustics among faculty and students seem to have declined precipitiously, if the popularity of library texts and the quantity of student theses published in the field is any indication.

Of all the general texts on acoustics that I examined -- to me, one clearly stood out above the others. It was published in 1957 by Harry F. Olsen, Ph.D., the lead acoustical scientist at the RCA Research Laboratories in Princeton, New Jersey. It is entitled, "Acoustical Engineering", although the text contains all the fundamental science as well. This volume was reprinted in 1991 and is currently available.

Olsen's work is surely a magnum opus, comprising 736 pages and 567 illustrations. It has its fair share of math, but the concepts are often additionally explained through well-crafted line drawings, showing, for example, wave forms drawn in progressive fashion in serial graphs, some of which are designed so that one can even mentally rotate the graphics to gather a three-dimensional perspective. Furthermore, the graphs are often supplemented by art showing equivalent mechanical and electrical analogs, to further assist in understanding.

Best of all, Olsen explains virtually everything acoustical you would ever want to know, from theories of acoustical wave propagation, to an enormous variety of loudspeaker designs, to the mathematical reasoning behind Johann Sebastian Bach's tempered tuning of musical instruments, an artistic practice that is almost universal today.

Thus if it is a text for a problem-oriented course in acoustics that one seeks -- the fourth edition of the "Fundamentals of Acoustics" is a fine text. However, if one wishes to have a ready reference that is extraordinarily comprehensive, or a pedagogical work that doesn't focus on mathematical derivations, better choices can surely be made.

Solid Introductory Text Book
If you are interested in a solid introduction to the science of sound, then this is your book. Kinsler and Frey is not an advanced text, nor a reference manual for research scientists. It is simply a classic introduction to the physical principles of acoustics geared toward upper level undergraduates or graduate students.

Not hard core
This book provides a good introduction to the subject, but I would not consider it hard core by any means. Morse is hard core, Pierce a far second in dificulty. Blackstock's book is superior. Blackstock provides a physical explanation of the theory of sound, Kinsler relies a bit too much on simple equations and does not provide insight into what the math is telling you. A good entry level book to use as a reference, and self study.

Fendamentals Of Acoustics...
This Book Is A Classic...It Goes In Depth Into The Principals Of Acoustics, Physics, And Sound Propogation...A Long And Thorough Look Into The World Of Why We Hear Certain Things...A Little Too Much For The Weak Minded, This Book Is Pretty Hardcore... ... Read more

Book Description

Voice over IP Technologies provides solid technical information on how to successfully design and implement a converged network, combining voice, data, fax and video transmissions into a cohesive networking infrastructure centered on the Internet Protocol.

Converged networks, which combine voice, data, fax and video transmissions into a cohesive networking infrastructure -- all centered on the Internet Protocol, or IP -- promise a number of advantages over existing, separate networking environments. But to successfully design and implement a converged network requires expertise on both the voice and data networking sides of the house. Unfortunately, few individuals have these credentials -- either you are a voice networking expert, and familiar with circuit switching and connections between PBXs, or you are a data networking expert, familiar with packet switching and connections between routers and servers.

The objective of this text is to bridge the gap between the voice and data networking sides, and provide the reader with the opportunity to fill in their areas of weakness with solid technical information. In addition, this text presents a number of case studies, from architectural, financial and technical perspectives that illustrate real-world applications for these technologies. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Outstanding Piece of Work
Voice over IP Technologies is an outstanding piece of work, reflecting much of Mark Miller's exceptional knowledge of voice and data communications systems and multi-protocol networks. He is, in fact and without question, one of the leading experts in the field of network design, analysis and troubleshooting across the LAN, MAN and WAN domains. And he is a leading authority on ATM, Frame Relay and the TCP/IP protocol suite ... and their meaningful applications.

The value of all that expertise is much greater value, of course, if it can be shared effectively with others. Mark Miller's considerable skills as an author have been honed in a dozen or so previous books, and are well demonstrated in this excellent work. The information is well organized and clearly stated, and is supported with numerous graphics. There are numerous appendixes, including a most helpful glossary. The work also is very well indexed, which I consider to be extremely important for future reference.

As a technologist, I can appreciate the accuracy of the information contained in this book. As a consultant, I can appreciate its integrity. As an author, I can appreciate the care with which the subject matter has been researched, the way it has been organized, and the thoroughly understandable manner in which it is presented. When I need to research a technical topic for a book, article or column I am writing, or for a consulting project, I generally skip past the several hundred other references on my shelf and reach for one of Mark Miller's books. When the topic is VoIP, I reach for this one first. I recommend that you do the same. ... Read more

Book Description

Acoustics is the science that deals with the production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound. The study of sound and vibration is critical to the engineer designing automobiles and aircraft as well as those mapping out a concert hall or reconfiguring a stereo system. More than any other book currently available, this important text provides coverage of both the fundamentals and applications of acoustics. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent text and reference
I find this book clear and concise. This is the reference I use most often at work when I want insight into the physics behind a noise or vibration problem.

Physical Acoustics-Dr. Blackstock
Dr. Blackstock is one of the most lucid technical writers I have encoutered in my (long) career as a phd candidate at UT-Austin Acoustics. If you are trying to understand physical acoustics there is no better book. Kinsler and Frey is weak in comparison. From this book, one can easily step up to Morse's classic Vibration and Sound, or even Theoretical Acoustics with out a flinch. This book is definetely a must have on your personal library. ... Read more

Book Description

The goal of this book is to apply the principles of acoustics to the audio arts. This involves serving as an interpreter of major trends and the literature for students and practitioners in the audio field. Along with covering the more theoretical aspects of acoustics, the book applies the theory to the design of specialized audio spaces such as the home listening room, the control room, and the multi-track-recording studio. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Outstanding!!!!!
To say that the Master Handbook of Acoustics is an 'incredibly comprehensive work' it's like saying that the Beatles were 'some band from Liverpool'. Without a doubt, a must-have. Better than that, buy two and enlighten a friend! :-)

Now really, this is the absolute definitive book on acoustics, covering topics ranging from sound propagation to room acoustics to absortion, diffusion, refraction, reflection, diffraction and everything else you can think of.

Not a Handbook of Acoustics
If you believe that the world of acoustics only consists of rooms and concert halls, this is the introductory book for you.

Otherwise, the treatment of contemporary topics is piecemeal. The introductory material is not sufficient to inform the more recent elements (the chapter on digital sound is laughable).

It is well worth the money for room acoustics. It should indicate that specific focus in the title. No where will you find psychoacoustics, instrument acoustics, microphone issues, and true recording issues.

easy to read, easy to understand
I like this book: it's mainly about acoustic principles and room acoustics. It's easy to read (even for a beginner) and is not too superficial. One of the few audio books I still return to every now and then.
I would buy this book again.

Very good, but...
Very good in relation to room acoustics, but almost useless out of America. The book does not acknowledge the metric system, and the chapters about construction apply to materials and construction methods used only in America.

Otherwise, a really good book at hammering the basics in your head! If only there were metric versions of the equations...

This is an Outstanding Book
This is an outstanding book for anyone interested in room acoustics. My motivation as an Audiophile for purchasing this book was to answer the basic question: "Should my next audio investment be in room acoustic treatments, and if so what are the considerations involved?" This book methodically breaks down every aspect of the behavior of sound, and how that behavior affects and is percieved by the listener. Reverberation, reflection, dispersion, diffraction, absorption, spectral analyses, modal analyses, room topology, etc., etc... It's all there. An absolute must have for any Audiophile. ... Read more

Book Description

Presenting a comprehensive description of the theory and physics of high-intensity ultrasound, this book also deals with a wide range of problems associated with the industrial applications of ultrasound, mainly in the areas of metallurgy and mineral processing.
The book is divided into three sections, and Part I introduces the reader to the theory and physics of high-intensity ultrasound. Part II considers the design of ultrasonic generators, mechanoacoustic radiators and other vibrational systems, as well as the control of acoustic parameters when vibrations are passed into a processed medium. Finally, Part III describes problems associated with various uses of high-intensity ultrasound in metallurgy. The applications of high-intensity ultrasound for metal shaping, thermal and thermochemical treatment, welding, cutting, refining, and surface hardening are also discussed here.
This comprehensive monograph will provide an invaluable source of information, which has been largely unavailable in ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Still remarkable
I am constantly amazed by this remarkable book. It remains a topical reference for theoretical methods in acoustics, despite the advent of computational methods that allow modern acousticians to solve models on their desktop. I recently had the job of reviewing a patent for an acoustic transducer -- and sure enough I found this "modern" idea in good-ol' Morse and Ingard. In my opinion it is a must.

A must for acousticians
This book was lying on the bookshelf long enough, because the title " Theoretical Acoustics" did not encourage me to take it up with any commitment. I work in the field of acoustics and I had to work on the basics of Moving Sources and that was the time I picked it up to read. The material was so clearly presented, with clear reasoning, that it motivated me to read the preceeding chapters as well.The book is very clearly written and presented. It assumes no acoustic or vibration background for the reader. The subject is built up step-by-step without comprimising on either physics or mathematics. The treatment of the subject starts with basic vibration theory, without which any further development in Acoustics is impossible and then introduces the Wave Equation. It proceeds with Radiation and Scattering of sound. This is highly relevant from the view of scattering of submarines, hulls etc., among other applications. More advanced treatment on how sound waves behave in ducts and rooms is presented. The section on structural acoustic coupling is very well presented. The entire book assumes that one has a sufficent background on fundamentals of differential equations and maths in general. If one has a flair for maths, then this is the book for acoustics. Treatment is complete with sufficient physical insight provided into the equations. This book is a must for acousticians and researchers in acoustics. An excellent work by one of the most regarded reserchers in the area of applied and theortical mathematics. ... Read more

Book Description

Join the digital audio revolution! Tens of millions of users are embracing digital music, and with Digital Audio Essentials, you can, too. Nearly every personal computer built in the last few years contains a CD-burning drive; MP3 and other portable player sales dominate the consumer electronics industry; and new networkable stereo equipment lets you use your digital music collection to power your home entertainment system.

Whether it's downloading music, ripping CDs, organizing, finding, and creating higher quality music files, buying music players and accessories, or constructing a home stereo system, Digital Audio Essentials helps you do get it done.

An indispensable reference for music enthusiasts, digital archivists, amateur musicians, and anyone who likes a good groove, Digital Audio Essentials helps you avoid time-consuming, costly trial and error in downloading audio files, burning CDs, converting analog music to digital form, publishing music to and streaming from the Web, setting up home stereo configurations, and creating your own MP3 and other audio files. The book--for both Mac and PC users--includes reliable hardware and software recommendations, tutorials, resources, and file sharing, and it even explains the basics of the DMCA and intellectual property law.

You may (or may not) already know the basics of ripping CDs or downloading music, but Fries will show you so much more--including advice on the multitude of MP3 players on the market, stereo options, file formats, quality determinations, and the legalities of it all. Both a timely, entertaining guide and an enduring reference, this is the digital audio handbook you need to make the most of your expanding digital music collection. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good intro to digital audio
Like just about everything else, music, radio, and sound are being swept into the digital revolution. Consider the current and recent cultural rages - the iPod, MP3s, podcasting, satellite radio - which all are digitally-based.

Bruce Fries and Marty Fries, in a new book from O'Reilly Media, Inc., "Digital Audio Essentials", describe what is happening now with digital sound, how and why digital formats and transmissions are replacing analog versions, and how consumers and music fans can use and experiment with digital sound and music. In addition, they explain how best not to be subject to a Summons from the recording industry for improper activities with digital music. Downloaders and file-sharers take note!

The authors are technology consultants, with specializations in digital sound. They very broadly cover nearly all aspects of the transformation from analog to digital sound. In five parts and seventeen chapters, this book provides a historical perspective on the technological developments propelling the digital sound revolution, comprehensive coverage about the acquiring, listening to, creating, editing, playing, streaming, organizing, and sharing digital compositions, and mixes in a heavy scoop of material of the evolving rights, duties, and responsibilities arising from the legal system regarding usages of the new technology. I presume the heavy publicity about the recording industry's crackdown on music file-sharing has created a sense of seriousness about this business.

There is a large amount of information being provided in this book about nearly all aspects of digital sound. The topics are covered generally and broadly, without great depth and are written to be easily understood by primarily digital sound novices. Consider the book a primer for listeners, creators, and users of digital sound. For nearly all aspects of the digital transformation, the authors provide some background and history of the changes, some light scientific material about digital technology and the physics of sound, handfuls of helpful tutorials on the use of some of the most popular software applications, and provide some hardware and software purchase/recommendations, while steadily throughout noting the legalities of each aspect.

The software discussions encompass both Mac and PC applications and a number of sections detail enough about programs like iTunes, Music Match, and Media Jukebox, to allow one to create playlists, burn them to CDs or DVDs, and make MP3 files. The discussions about hardware include speaker selections, soundcards, cabling and connector types, as well as how to select a suitable portable music player and accessories.

The most practical material covers how to choose an online music retailer or subscription service, and what features to most consider in purchasing a portable music player and, in Chapter 14, details how to digitalize your record and tape collections. There is guidance on how to even improve sound quality using sound editors to control hiss and noise, and crackle and pops.

I was intrigued by the chapter on setting up your own internet radio station, which appears to be surprisingly easy. The authors note the existence of commercial hosting servicesand software packages which make things as easy as they can get for a novice internet DJ.

The final chapter is entirely about copyright law and includes, among other things, nine examples of how one can go afoul of the laws of copyright. There is a quick guide to prevailing U.S. copyright laws for your study and a useful glossary of digital sound terms.

readily understandable
The authors furnish a good introduction to the main aspects of actively using digital audio. By this, I mean more than merely listening to it. The book is directed not to an audio professional, but to someone who comes at this as a layman. Hence the general discussion about sound waves and recording this in a digital manner. What you should appreciate is that once stored as digital data, a whole panoply of software techniques are available to be used on it. Your special effects, as it were.

The book skims lightly over the various digital audio formats. Just enough explanation for a broad understanding. Other chapters then take you into using common audio packages and the burning of CDs and DVDs. A full run-through.

All of this should be readily understandable.

Most Excellent
Here is a book that covers virtually everything you want and/or need to know about audio on your computers. Whether it's saving songs from your own records, tapes, and/or CD's, to editing songs, creating brand new digital files, sharing audio files, or even the risks of downloading mp3 from the net, this book covers it. Bruce and Marty Fries who wrote the MP3 and Internet Audio Handbook back in 2001 have written another excellent book about the digital music revolution.

The book starts off with general information about digital audio, what type of computer hardware you should have to record audio, and how to hook up your stereo to your computer. It then discusses how to organize and play music, what kinds of music you can find on the web, Internet radio and "portable ways" to listen to digital audio. There are also chapters on "capturing" and editing audio, sharing and distributing music, as well as a chapter on copyright laws. Both authors were very thorough in the topics they covered. There were some sections I skimmed over, that I plan to refer to again in the near future when I start saving some of my own records and CD's to digital audio.

This is an excellent guide to the "digital audio world."

Excellent walkthrough of the basics
This is a fine walkthrough of the basics of audio playback and production. It covers the different audio formats, the mechanics of audio playback and recording and does it with effective use of graphics and some fine writing. Unfortunately it stops just short of podcasting, which is where I think a number of readers will be looking for.

There is some fine coverage of the legal issues involved on both the production and the consumption side of the fence. I'm pleased with this book. It's an easy and informative read. ... Read more

Book Description

Handbook for Sound Engineers is the most comprehensive reference available for audio engineers. Written by many of the top professionals in the field, including Glen Ballou on interpretation systems, intercoms, assistive listening, and image projection; Ken Pohlmann on compact discs and DVDs; David Miles Huber on MIDI; Dr. Eugene Patronis on amplifier design and outdoor sound systems; Bill Whitlock on audio transformers and preamplifiers; Pat Brown on fundamentals and gain structures; Ray Rayburn on virtual systems and digital interfacing; and Dr. Wolfgang Ahnert on computer-aided sound system design and acoustics for concert halls.

The audio industry has seen many changes since the previous edition of the Handbook, particularly in the digital area, all of which are included in this edition. Key topics include: Acoustics * DSPs * DVDs * Modeling and auralization * Sound-system design * Application and installation techniques * Loudspeaker and enclosure building, testing and measuring * Sound recording and playback* Transmission Techniques * Audio circuits, amplifiers, filters, and consoles * Grounding

* The most comprehensive reference work on sound engineering on the market

* Contributors are the leading experts in their fields

* Explains MIDI, cinema sound, transformers, consoles, and more ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Simply the Best Book on Audio
This is the best book on audio I have seen. It covers a broad range of topics in great depth.

The book goes into great detail about the following areas:
a) human hearing and calculating the acoustic properties of rooms
b) PCB-level electronic components
c) system level components
d) storage media
e) bringing all of the above together into applications

The book assumes the reader has a good foundation in electronics but explains concepts in a very unpretentious way. It's nothing like reading a scholarly journal where you constantly have to look at other articles and review textbooks to understand. If you understand the basics of electronic circuits you will understand this book without consulting other textbooks.

Every audio topic I can think of is explored in this book. If you work on anything related to audio you absolutely should not be without this reference.

The most authorative work I have seen.
I have been playing around with amplifiers and recording equipment for a while now - never had formal education in audio engineering, but I do have some electronic background. This book has helped me a lot in refining my recording techniques, my audio system itself and furthered my understanding of audio systems from microphone placement to cabling, speaker placement, phono cartridge alignment to name but a few. Whatever subject I sought advice on, this book has so far provided me with the answers. I would go as far as saying that whatever this book does not cover is not relevant to audio systems. One word of caution though, this book is not like a "cookbook". You have to have an electronic background in order to make full use of the book - as the title rightly puts it, it is intended for engineers.

Handbook For Sound Engineers
You MUST buy this book! Pretend you did not see the price and order this book. It is the most comprehensive book on the subject that I have ever run across. It contains more than 1550 pages of information, diagrams, schematics, and just about anything else you could ever think to need. Covers everything from Accoustic Theory to Zener Diodes (I don't know what they are either...I haven't read that far yet!). I am planning to use this as a refresher for myself (that is what my schooling is in) and for training more sound techs at my church.

Note: This is a book for intermediate to advanced level sound engineers. It would be way over a beginners head. There are a number of excellent books for beginners available through Amazon, though. ... Read more